Excavations in Türkiye’s Amastris reveal 1,600-year-old earthquake, flood damage

A groundbreaking discovery in the ancient city of Amastris in Türkiye’s Bartin province has brought to light the remnants of a marble-columned structure, destroyed nearly 1,600 years ago by a series of catastrophic events.

Archaeologists working on the Amasra excavation project uncovered evidence of significant damage caused by both an earthquake and subsequent floods, marking a pivotal moment in understanding the ancient city’s history.

The excavation, which transitioned from a rescue mission initiated by the Amasra Museum in 2022 to a full-fledged scientific study under a Presidential Decree this year, has been meticulously carried out by Bartin University in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Amastris: A glimpse into the past

The structure, believed to have been built between the third and fourth centuries A.D., was partially destroyed by a powerful earthquake.

“The columns have toppled in a clear axis, indicating the building’s collapse during the seismic event,” explained professor Fatma Bagdatli Cam, the head of the excavation team and a faculty member of the Department of Archaeology.

She further noted that the extent of damage and subsequent reconstructions suggest the earthquake likely occurred before the 4th century, as evidenced by nearby mosaic structures.

However, the disaster didn’t end with the earthquake. Ancient floods swept through the region, inflicting additional damage.

“This area experienced multiple floods throughout history, similar to the devastating floods in 2023,” Cam stated. “It appears the structure, while surviving the earthquake, was eventually buried under layers of soil brought in by floodwaters.”

As the team continues to investigate, they aim to precisely date these catastrophic events, offering new insights into the challenges faced by ancient civilizations in the region.